Radiculopathy: Cervical
Radiculopathy: Cervical Radiculopathy: Cervical is not a specific condition; instead it is a description of a nerve or group of nerves that have lost function and no longer work properly (Neuropathy). The prefix "Radix" means "root" and in the case of neck pain with radiculopathy, there is a problem with a cervical nerve root. This can result in radiating symptoms which include pain (radicular pain), weakness, numbness, paresthesias and difficulty controlling specific muscles.
Radiculopathy: Cervical: The problem is at or near the root of the nerve, along the spine. Often, people will experience neck pain with radiculopathy. Although the problem is originating in the neck, the pain or other symptoms may be noticeable in an extremity through a process called referred pain. For example, a nerve root pressure in the neck can produce pain and weakness in the hand.
People often ask what actually "pinches" the nerve to produce neck pain with radiculopathy? There are multiple answers to this question: 1) Disc 2) Bone or stenosis 3) Inflammation 4) Misalignment or Subluxation.
Discs are sponge-like substances that are located between each of the vertebrae in the spine. They act as "shock absorbers" for the spine, cushioning the vertebrae and allowing for the type of movements that help you twist, bend and rotate.
As the spine ages, the center of the disc may lose some of its water content, causing it to have less of a cushion effect. As the disc continues to deteriorate, the outer layer may tear, allowing tissue matter from the center of the disc to escape through the tear into the area where the nerves and spinal cord reside. This condition is known as a ruptured or herniated disc.
Stenosis refers to a closing down of an opening. In the case of advanced degenerative or arthritic changes, the body will lay down extra bone to stabilize the degenerating spinal joint. This extra bone growth can often increase the pressure on an adjacent nerve root resulting in neck pain with radiculopathy.
Although osteoarthritis is categorized as a non-inflammatory arthritic condition, it is common for arthritic joints to become inflamed from time to time. This may result from repetitive motion, a misaligned spine or overexertion. The inflammatory process can produce chemicals that irritate the adjacent nerve roots resulting in neck pain with radiculopathy.
A common cause of neck pain with radiculopathy, but often overlooked, is a misaligned cervical spine. When the Atlas vertebra (C1) misaligns this alters the center of gravity of the skull on the spine below. The misaligned atlas results in a twisting of the cervical spine and spinal joints lock into this stressed position. This leads to abnormal movement patterns and abnormal wear and tear (arthritis, disc degeneration, stenosis and inflammation).
The misaligned spine or subluxation may be the underlying cause of neck pain with radiculopathy. The misaligned vertebra can make the opening (foramen) for the exiting nerve root even smaller. If there is arthritis, stenosis and/or a disc bulge at this level, a misaligned spine may make the already compromised opening (foramen) even smaller.
Radiculopathy: Cervical symptoms of a differ based on the extent of the nerve irritation, but may include: neck pain, arm and/or hand pain (usually in one extremity), muscle weakness, tingling sensation in the arm, wrist or hand.
Causes of herniated discs and the associated neck pain and radiculopathy include the prolonged spinal misalignment, natural degeneration of the spine, as described above, injury to the discs resulting from poor lifting posture, repetitive movements, sports, and back strain. Spine injuries from car accidents are just one example of a physical trauma that can lead to neck pain with radiculopathy.
Radiculopathy: Cervical
How Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Help Those with neck pain with radiculopathy?
The NUCCA and Advanced Orthogonal procedures utilize a gentle touch and a controlled adjustment to the first vertebra of the spine, commonly called the Atlas. This adjustment often corrects any misalignments in the spinal column which irritate the nerves that run from the brain and spinal cord to the blood vessels in the head.
Since many radiculopathy: cervical disorders result from spinal trauma or repetitive stress injury to the cervical spine, any injury to the neck area or brain stem can lead to interference with the brain's control over the postural muscles of the spine - resulting in muscle weakness or spasms. Spinal muscles in spasm often lead to compression of the vertebrae and, therefore, compression of the discs between the affected vertebrae. Spine injuries from car accidents are just one example of a physical trauma that can lead to neck pain with radiculopathy.
A NUCCA and Advanced Orthogonal practitioner can determine whether a cervical injury exists, realign the spine through a gentle and scientific correction applied with the hands, and reduce any nerve irritation and pain resulting from the herniated disc.
Once the spine is properly realigned, and the body comes back into a state of balance, vertebrae and disc pressure are relieved and the herniated discs are able to heal.
Spinal Decompression therapy is an adjunct procedure that helps to decompress the nerve root, disc and inflammation associated with the radicular symptoms. Please see our Spinal Decompression page to learn more.
Cervical Headaches
There are many categories of headaches, including migraines, tension headaches, cluster headaches, sinus headaches and Cervical Headaches (originating from the neck). Science is still determining the exact causes of cervical headaches, with research citing a trauma-induced origin for several types of headaches. Evidence is pointing to mild trauma to the head, neck or upper back that increases the risk of cervical headache onset.
Researchers have categorized some headaches as "cervical" in origin, triggered by dysfunction of the neck. Cervical headaches can begin immediately following the trauma or take years to develop.
Upper Cervical Care for Cervical Headaches
If you have tried everything but you have not tried Upper Cervical Care, Cervical headache relief may be a phone call away.
The purpose of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care is to improve the alignment and function of the neck; reducing irritation to the nerves and blood vessels that may play a role in cervical headaches. Many cervical headache sufferers can remember a specific trauma such as a head injury, motor vehicle accident or fall, however some do not.
An upper cervical evaluation consists of a thorough health history, examination, computerized neurological evaluation and laser-aligned digital radiography. This evaluation allows the doctor to determine whether or not the underlying cause of the cervical headaches may be originating from the neck (cervical).
If after the evaluation, the doctor feels your Cervical headaches may be originating from a small misalignment in the neck, he will tell you. If not, he will tell you that too. The upper cervical procedure is a gentle procedure that does not require any twisting or turning of the neck. Upper Cervical Care has been effective in helping people with neck and back pain, herniated discs, arm pain, sciatica, vertigo and dizziness as well.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic debilitating condition that typically occurs more frequently in women, aged 20-50.
Symptoms include widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, fatigue, and tender areas on your body where even the slightest application of pressure causes pain. Many fibromyalgia sufferers also experience headaches, facial pain, TMJ, neck pain, anxiety, dizziness, Irritable Bowl Syndrome, depression, chest pains, difficulty with concentration, dry mouth, blurry vision, and a heightened sensitivity to smells, bright lights and sounds.
Symptoms may be affected by the weather, hormonal changes, time of day (symptoms are generally worse upon rising and toward the evening hours), stress, or the amount of physical activity you engage in on any given day.
No one is certain about the exact causes of fibromyalgia; however current thinking seems to point to the increased sensitivity of pain signals in the brain. Why does this occur? Repeated nerve stimulation may cause changes to the brains of those suffering from fibromyalgia. These changes may trigger an abnormal increase in certain brain chemicals that signal pain, called neurotransmitters. The brain's pain receptors, or neurons, receive signals from neurotransmitters and researchers believe that these neurons may start to hold memories of pain, which makes them more susceptible to pain signals, so they overreact. This particular theory on the cause of fibromyalgia is known as "central sensitization," however no single cause has been established.
Other theories on the causes of fibromyalgia include:
- Injury to the upper cervical spine that affects the central nervous
system (resulting from an accident, fall, sports injury, etc.)
- Sleep disturbances
- Bacterial or viral infection
- Hormonal factors
- Psychological stress
- Changes in blood flow to the muscles and reduced muscle conditioning
that leads to loss of strength and fatigue
How Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Help Fibromyalgia?
Upper cervical subluxations are generally found in fibromyalgia patients using two essential techniques: a) precision laser-aligned radiography to determine the extent of C1 (Atlas) misalignment; and b) digital infrared imaging.
The National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA) and Advanced Orthogonal Technique and Procedures have developed a highly advanced spinal correction procedure that repositions the weight of the head over the center of the neck to remove nerve compression and restore balance to the body.
The NUCCA and Advanced Orthogonal procedures utilize a gentle touch and a controlled adjustment to the first vertebra of the spine, commonly called the Atlas. The effects of this single adjustment influence the entire spine and nervous system and allow the head, neck, spine and pelvis to return to their proper positions, restoring balance to the body.
After performing a series of NUCCA and Advanced Orthogonal adjustments to fibromyalgia patients, nerve signals are balanced and restored. Although upper cervical care does not cure fibromyalgia, People generally report a significant reduction in the symptoms associated with the condition, most noticeably the severe pain and fatigue that is characteristic of fibromyalgia. Many return to full-time work and leisure activities (gardening, exercise, dancing) that had been affected by the debilitating effects of this condition.
Migraines
Migraines can be severely incapacitating,
especially if they become a daily occurrence. Unfortunately, most
people with migraines run to
a pill bottle at the first sign of onset. All that does, if anything,
is reduce or relieve the pain symptom; over-the-counter and prescription
medications do nothing for the cause of your headaches and may, in
fact, trigger a “rebound effect” for future headaches.
Migraines headaches are characterized by intense pain that is felt on one side of the head. The pain may be accompanied by sensitivity to sound and light, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and cold hands and/or feet. Some migraine sufferers experience an aura (flashing, colored spots or lights that start in the center of the field of vision and radiate outward) prior to actual onset of the headache.
Migraines affect many more men than women. Generally, a migraine attack may last from 4-72 hours. Because of the light and sound sensitivity, many migraine sufferers retreat to the comfort of a dark, quiet room during an episode..
Much about the causes of headaches in general is still unknown; even less is known about the causes of migraine headaches. They may occur as the result of an overly sensitive central nervous system, past spinal trauma (fall, accident,), hormonal irregularities/changes (many women experience pre-menstrual migraines), eating certain foods (i.e., red wine, chocolate, aged cheese, caffeine, etc.), stress, medication side effects, environmental changes (i.e., barometric pressure, altitude, etc.), and changes in sleep cycles.
How Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Help Migraine Sufferers?
The National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA) and Advanced Orthogonal Technique and procedures have developed a highly advanced spinal correction procedure that repositions the weight of the head over the center of the neck to remove nerve compression and restore balance to the body.
The NUCCA and Advanced Orthogonal Technique and Procedures utilize a gentle touch and a controlled adjustment to the first vertebra of the spine, commonly called the Atlas. This adjustment often corrects misalignments in the spinal column which irritate the nerves that run from the brain and spinal cord to the blood vessels in the head. Causes of these misalignments include sports injuries, falls, auto accidents, and poor posture.
The effects of a single adjustment to the atlas influence the entire spine and nervous system and allow the head, neck, spine and pelvis to return to their proper positions, restoring balance to the body. After correcting the vertebrae in the upper neck, normal nerve function and blood flow returns to the patient, allowing many migraine sufferers to at last be migraine free, or at the very least, experience far fewer episodes than they did prior to undergoing NUCCA and Advanced Orthogonal procedure care. Former migraine sufferers have benefited greatly from upper cervical care.
Upper
Cervical Chiropractic Care for a Patient with Chronic Migraine Headaches
with an Appendix Summarizing an Additional 100 Headache Cases
by
Erin Elster, DC. Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research. August,
2003 (PDF)
Herniated Discs
Discs are sponge-like substances that are located between each
of the vertebrae in the spine. They act as “shock absorbers” for
the spine, cushioning the vertebrae and allowing for the type of
movements that help you twist, bend and rotate.
As the spine ages, the center of the disc may lose some of its water content, causing it to have less of a cushion effect. As the disc continues to deteriorate, the outer layer may tear, allowing tissue matter from the center of the disc to escape through the tear into the area where the nerves and spinal cord reside. This condition is known as a ruptured or herniated disc.
Symptoms of a herniated disc differ based on the size and location of the herniation , but may include: low back pain, leg pain (usually in one leg), muscle weakness, tingling sensation in the buttock, knee, ankle, foot or thigh, pain in the thigh, and in extreme cases, weakness that affects both legs and/or loss of bowel or bladder control.
Causes of herniated discs include the natural degeneration of the spine, as described above, injury to the discs resulting from poor lifting posture, repetitive movements, sports, and back strain.
How Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Help Those with Herniated
Discs?
The NUCCA and Advanced Orthogonal procedures utilize a gentle touch and a controlled adjustment to the first vertebra of the spine, commonly called the Atlas. This adjustment often corrects any misalignments in the spinal column which irritate the nerves that run from the brain and spinal cord to the blood vessels in the head.
Since many disc disorders result from spinal trauma to the cervical spine, any injury to the neck area or brain stem can lead to interference with the brain's control over the postural muscles of the spine - resulting in muscle weakness or spasms. Spinal muscles in spasm often lead to compression of the vertebrae and, therefore, compression of the discs between the affected vertebrae.
A NUCCA and Advanced Orthogonal practitioner can determine whether a cervical injury exists, realign the spine through a gentle correction applied with the hands, and reduce any nerve irritation and pain resulting from the herniated disc.
Once the spine is properly realigned, and the body comes back into a state of balance, vertebrae and disc pressure are relieved and the herniated discs are able to heal.
Vertigo
Vertigo is the sensation of that either your body or the environment around you is moving, when both are fixed in stationery positions. It may even feel as though your body or the world around you is spinning.
True vertigo is different from the feeling of lightheadedness that comes with fainting. In addition to the feeling of motion, it may include nausea or vomiting, ringing in the ears, and sweating. You may also experience visual disturbances, feelings of weakness, difficulty walking or talking, or a feeling of reduced consciousness. Each episode can last from several minutes to several hours and may be constant or intermittent.
Vertigo may result from any number of causes or as a symptom of another illness or injury, such as whiplash, an inflammation of the inner ear, a tumor (acoustic neuroma), a decrease in blood flow to the brain, neck injury or head trauma, headache (especially migraines), or multiple sclerosis.
How Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Help Those with Vertigo?
The NUCCA and Advanced Orthogonal procedures utilize a gentle touch and a controlled adjustment to the first vertebra of the spine, commonly called the Atlas. This adjustment often corrects any misalignments in the spinal column which irritate the nerves that run from the brain and spinal cord to the blood vessels in the head.
Often, cervical spine misalignment that is the result of severe trauma, an injury or an accident causes nerve function between the brain and body to be compromised. The balance centers of the brain are influenced by the nerves in the upper cervical region. Recent research has revealed that vertigo, dizziness and balance symptoms may result from this type of misalignment.
A NUCCA and Advanced Orthogonal practitioner can conduct specific diagnostic tests on your spine and perform a thorough spinal exam to locate these misalignments. Then, through a gentle adjustment to the upper cervical vertebrae, performed by hand or a precise instrument, the NUCCA and Advanced Orthogonal practitioner can realign the spine. This type of adjustment generally relieves any nerve interference, balances the body, resulting in improvement or total relief of the symptoms associated with vertigo.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is characterized by facial pain that is described as excruciating, stabbing, and sharp, usually on the right side in the cheek or jaw. Attacks can last for minutes, hours, days or even years and it affects women, generally over the age of 50, far more often than it affects men.
Some people experience a mild attack of Trigeminal Neuralgia, with only slight twinges of pain, while others experience pain so severe, they feel as though "live" electric wires are running through their faces. An attack may last from several seconds to a minute or more, with attacks occurring repeatedly throughout a day, days, weeks or years at a time. Some people experience short periods of remission, although these periods become less common as the disease progresses.
Trigeminal Neuralgia usually only affects one side of the face. In rare instances, it can affect both sides, usually a side at a time. It is a chronic, progressive condition that affects the fifth cranial (trigeminal) nerve, one of the largest nerves in the head. Talking, chewing, or swallowing intensify the pain, making it extremely difficult for the sufferer to cope, which is why it is often referred to as the "suicide disease." Although the condition is not fatal, it is generally considered to be the most painful affliction known to man.
The pain of Trigeminal Neuralgia starts with the trigeminal nerve, located deep within the brain. This nerve carries sensation from the brain to various parts of the face through three smaller branches. The pain usually originates when the trigeminal nerve comes in contact with an artery or vein in the base of the brain which exerts pressure on the nerve, causing it to "misfire." Stress or nerve damage may initially trigger the pain.
Compression caused by a tumor, multiple sclerosis or a stroke that affects the lower part of the brain may also cause this condition. Eating, drinking, smiling, brushing your teeth, taking, shaving - all these actions can trigger a painful episode.
How Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Help Those with Trigeminal
Neuralgia?
The NUCCA and Advanced Orthogonal procedures utilize a gentle touch and a controlled adjustment to the first vertebra of the spine, commonly called the Atlas. This adjustment often corrects any misalignments in the spinal column which irritate the nerves that run from the brain and spinal cord to the blood vessels in the head.y.
One of the major problems with Trigeminal Neuralgia is that the pain worsens and becomes more constant over time, requiring higher dosages of pain medication, that usually lose any effect on the pain over time..
Often, misalignments in the upper cervical spine, caused by some type of trauma to the region as a result of an accident or injury, cause compression on certain nerves (cranial nerve V) that result in pain such as that experienced by Trigeminal Neuralgia sufferers. The misalignment is detected through diagnostic testing that includes precision x-rays and Thermographic/Surface EMG scans.
By applying the NUCCA and Advanced Orthogonal procedures, a chiropractor skilled in this technique can relieve compression on the damaged nerve. After correcting the misalignment in the upper cervical spine, normal communication is re-established between the brain and any pressure on the affected trigeminal nerve is removed, thereby alleviating the pain. Post-adjustment x-rays and Thermographic/Surface EMG scans are taken to ensure that a successful spinal correction has taken place.
Hypertension
How Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Help Those with Hypertension?
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